Let Advent Be A Journey Home.

Hello Friends,
Yesterday was on the hectic side and while I had full intention to blog time got away from me. Today has been a hectic one as well but its a day I need to write. Its a day that I know writing will be good for my soul.
With the celebration of advent we know that our hearts are in preparation. Preparation to remember the birth of our savior. Preparation to say goodbye to 2013 and hello to 2014. Preparation for the now, and the future. Preparing our lives not just for a holiday but inviting God in to move and work and grow us. 

And in this season of my life I need that growth. I need that time. I need that preparation. 

I don't know what it is like to be God. To patiently listen and care and consider each prayer and petition and praise given by all of mankind. I can tell you I'm glad He's God and I'm not. I had a schedule full of complicated patients today in 20 minute time slots with more than I could address in that time. I worked hard to be thorough and efficient and it's hard to do both at the same time. Too fast and you miss something. Too slow and you get off task. So you go in for the day like you are going in for battle. You take it one patient at a time and start each one with the same stamina that you did the last. You then check, and recheck their charts at the end of the day to sign them off and start again. The number I saw today was nothing to brag about but the number of issues I addressed in one day was more than I care to share. With each patient I took a deep breath and remembered that I'm the only provider they will see today and they deserve my best. My best is what I gave and that was tiring but I work like I'm working for the Lord not for man. 

In the busy nature of today and yesterday it's a challenge to take care of the other things that need to be considered. Dinner sounds like a word out of some eastern village to me today. You might as well have said WEHUIWN. A shower sounds like a dream and I am pretty sure my pillow has been calling out my name louder and louder with each passing second.  But man have I learned some things in the last two days.
I've learned so many more medical facts/drugs/treatments. Honestly I know significantly more this evening than I did this morning when I left.

I learned to ask for help and wave the white flag.
I'm learning to submit to honestly. To share exactly how I'm feeling

And the words I read yesterday I'm learning more from.
I'm reading Immitation of Christ by Thomas Akempis.
The Twelth Chapter- The value of Adversity
"It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then he understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found on earth."

Friends no matter how hard the day- only Christ can satisfy. And isn't this the essence of Advent? The very definition of which is :The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important. The arrival of the spirit infiltrating new parts of our hearts and souls each day thats the essence of advent. The turning back from sin to God --> thats a coming home. 

Friends root yourself in God in a deep way. Use this season of advent not for focus on trimming trees and buying presents and running to parties but as a season of hope, a season of reflection, a season of prioritizing whats really important and spending time with God. Friends use this time to fast. Use this time to surround yourself with love from God no matter if its a season of joy or sadness for you. He is the only one who will satisfy. He is the only one who will be enough. He is the only one that can give peace and security. 

In this season let Advent be a journey home. Let it renew you. Let it give you peace. Let it be a beginning of a year and not the end. 

I'm praying for you. Let me know how I can be praying specifically in this season for you. 

<3